Binzi keeps pressure on Chirinda

MANICA Diamonds FC striker Fortune Binzi last weekend became the latest player in the country’s elite football league to reach double figures as he is now on 10 goals.

Binzi achieved the feat after Bulawayo Chiefs’ Obriel Chirinda who did so almost two weeks ago when they edged Dynamos 2-1 in a match that was played at Barbourfields Stadium.

Binzi took his goal tally to 10 when his Manica Diamonds side lost 2-1 to Black Rhinos at the weekend.

Binzi had been out of action for a while after he fractured his left-hand radius in his club’s 1-0 win over Sheasham on July 1.

He was then on eight goals.

The severity of the injury saw the 25-year-old player missing five games against Highlanders, Simba Bhora, Cranborne Bullets, CAPS United and Bulawayo Chiefs.

It was a development that saw Binzi fall behind Chirinda who covered a lot of ground during Manica Diamonds striker’s absence.
Chirinda found his 11th goal of the season when Bulawayo Chiefs beat Yadah Stars 2-1 last weekend.

“It’s always good to be back and scoring. I will keep on working hard for my team because it’s not all about individual achievements. We have to aim higher as a club,” said Binzi, a former Yadah Stars player.

The two strikers are closely followed by Ngezi Platinum Stars’ duo of Takunda Benhura and Qadr Amini who are on nine and eight goals respectively.

In their previous fixture, Benhura scored a first half brace when Ngezi Platinum Stars thumped ZPC Kariba 3-0. The other goal was scored by Delic Murimba.

The bulk of Amini’s goals have come courtesy of his top-drawer freekicks that he has been unleashing through his cultured left foot.

Four players, Tino Benza (Herentals College), Michael Charamba (Chicken Inn) and reigning country’s Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona (FC Platinum) have scored six goals each for their respective clubs.

Seven players that include Hwange’s Brighton Makopa, FC Platinum attacking midfielder Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, Gamecocks’ Malvin Hwata, Dynamos’ Donald Mudadi, Triangle United’s Wilson Mensah and Jimu Tafadzwa who does duty for Herentals are on five goals.

They are closely followed by the DeMbare pair of skipper Frank Makarati and Eli Ilunga, Sheasham’s Liberty Masvaure and FC Platinum forward Juan Mutudza who have scored four goals.

Also on four strikes for their respective clubs, are seasoned Ralph Kawondera who turns out for Manica Diamonds, Tinashe Balakasi and Alexander Mandinyenya of Simba Bhora, Black Rhinos’ Lot Chiwungwa and Collins Dhuwa and Nqobile Ndlovu who are both from Greenfuel.

Last season, CAPS United’s William Manondo scooped the Golden Boot Award with 17 goals.

Since Norman Maroto scored 22 goals for the now defunct Gunners in 2010, no Premier Soccer League player has breached the 20-goal mark.
With 10 games to play in the 2023 season, Chirinda needs 11 goals to match Maroto. On the other hand, Binzi needs 12 goals to achieve Maroto’s milestone.

Zambian Chewe Mulenga, who banged 24 goals for the now also defunct Railstars, still holds the record since the turn of the new millennium.-@FungaiMuderere